Monthly Archives: January 2015

Hi, today I will be doing a very short review about the mystical 51TNC APRS-box which is made in China. Just add ingredients such as proper data-cable + HT/Rig and you can turn it into iGate/Digipeater/Tracker or even WX-Station.

51TNC-box comes with the following set:

51TNC-box

PSU (without the adapter thought)

TTL to USB serial Interface

RJ45 network-cable

Yaesu/Kenwood compatible 6-pin data cable

51TNC-box should also be equipped with bluetooth (for ie aprsdroid), but my model was lacking it! (damn ebay seller)

Ive been mostly testing and using it as iGate so got no experience on the Digipeater Side. However I have verified it works nicely on both RX/TX. My current setup is SainSonic GT3MK2 handheld, proper data-cable from taobao-seller, and the TNC-box. You can track me on: http://aprs.fi/#!call=a%2FOH2FXD-10&timerange=3600&tail=3600

PEOPLE having problem to startup program check that you have atleast .NET framework 4.0 installed! This is depency I noticed just a while ago!

Configuration is done via TCP/IP API and this time I need to say that the software provided is actually quite usable. Here is some screenshots for the application itself. Please bear in mind that default IP is 192.168.1.120 so you need to configure your LAN / routing for that network too 🙂

when you have SQL open on HT it wont TX (not manual or automatic), my friend oh6elf pointed out that it is important to tune audio level not too high. Im using 16ch kenwood VHF HT now as RX and it is a bit less than “nine a clock”. You can test this yourself by sending RF test on Beacon page, tune your HT volume until TXD light wont anymore light up when you try to send a packet. When it does not lit anymore tune volume a bit down and repeat. Thanks “ELF” for support 🙂

I noticed that app needs atleast MS .NET Framework 4.0 installed. Try with that and report back to me if possible!I have mailed to developer and requested more data about the device: howto aquire newer firmware, and howto update it (serial cable included in box should do it).I have also requested would there be DNS addition to the TCP/IP settings in the future.